Fiber Optics
Fermaca Networks finds critical sponsor for first phase of Mexican fiber optic route
The Phase 1 route will run fully underground, parallel to existing natural gas systems in some sections, and will follow highway routes in others, aiming at optimizing asset security and performance.
Arelion connects Mexico’s top digital hub to underground fiber network amid expansion
This network expansion reduces the risk of service outages and improves customer experiences, supporting content localization in Querétaro. This new route also offers end-to-end connectivity on Arelion's fiber backbone to markets such as Northern Virginia, Silicon Valley, Dallas and Atlanta.
Frontier to expand fiber broadband network across California with over $23 million in grants
The three grants from the California Public Utility Commission will enable the company to expand its fiber-optic network in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Alaska Communications to extend 9,100-mile fiber network with $390 million infrastructure financing
Alaska Communications is currently developing a network that spans 9,100 miles of fiber, connecting business and wholesale customers throughout the state. The company has plans to further extend its critical infrastructure to enhance connectivity in Alaska.
Siksika Nation selects Cross Cut Directional Boring for fiber optic rollout
Cross Cut Directional Boring LTD has been selected as the contractor for the project, which includes building a backbone network and installing residential service cables. Vacuum excavator trucks will be used to locate existing underground utilities.
Lumos to build over 1,300 miles of fiber optic network in Kentucky with $150 million investment
Through Lumos’ 100% Fiber-Optic Internet, the following communities in Louisville and Jefferson County will have access to the internet with equally fast upload and download speeds: Jeffersontown, Saint Matthews, Shively, Lyndon, Middletown, Douglas Hills, Hurstbourne, Prospect, Graymoor-Devondale, Anchorage and other areas in the Louisville Metro.
Kinetic launches investigation into underground fiber optic cable theft in Hazard, Ky.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the vandalism took place Aug. 8-9, affecting fiber-optic infrastructure that supports local communications services. The incident not only disrupted communication but also posed safety risks to the community by limiting access to emergency services and other vital operations that rely on constant connectivity.
Fiber Broadband Association launches new state broadband office membership program
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced a new membership program for State Broadband Offices. Open to all state and territory broadband offices, this program includes access to FBA research, events, and the OpTIC Path™ fiber optic technician training program, as well as networking and social events.
Urgent need to recruit 180,000 workers to complete federal- and state-funded broadband networks, study finds
The study suggests that 28,000 more broadband construction workers and 30,000 more broadband technician workers are needed to execute the planned federal and state broadband funding. Moreover, the research predicts that an additional 119,200 workers will be needed over the next 10 years to compensate for retirement.
Report: Fiber broadband is “paramount” to achieving zero carbon footprint
With fiber’s ability to scale to nearly unlimited bandwidth speeds, transitioning networks from HFC to fiber provides a far more sustainable option now and for decades to come. CSPs consider many factors when overbuilding an existing network with fiber, and the reduction in electricity consumption and overall carbon footprint are additional considerations.
Lumen, Corning partner to tackle data center AI workloads with “substantial” fiber optic deal
The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence requires at least 10 times more fiber connections within data centers, as well as a robust fiber network to transmit information between these data hubs. With this agreement, Lumen reserves 10% of Corning’s global fiber capacity for each of the next two years.
Fiber Broadband Association research highlights importance of streamlining underground locate process amid workforce dilemma
Operators must take necessary precautions to prevent damage to utilities, ensure utility services remain intact, and prevent serious injury to telecommunications installation teams and residents.
Washington state approves $21 million for emergency sewer and stormwater repairs
The Washington State Public Works Board recently approved $21 million for critical infrastructure projects, including emergency sewer and stormwater repairs, in 10 communities.
Lumos to build 2,000 miles of fiber optic network in Ohio with $230 million investment
Lumos announced its expansion into the state of Ohio with a $230 million investment to build nearly 2,000 miles of its 100% Fiber Optic network, providing homes and small businesses in Mahoning and Trumbull County with access to life-changing internet.
T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
T-Mobile will have full responsibility for residential customer acquisition and support, leveraging its differentiated retail, marketing, brand and service model, and will utilize Metronet’s deep digital and fiber infrastructure expertise to expand to more households with fiber broadband services. Metronet will focus on build plans, network engineering and design, network deployment, and customer installation.
GoNetspeed connects over 4,800 customers to fiber optic network in Massachusetts
Through this deployment, Ludlow is the second Massachusetts community that is equipped with GoNetspeed’s high-speed internet access, providing access to 100% fiber internet to more than 4,800 homes and businesses.
Bluebonnet Fiber, USDA partner to expand underground broadband infrastructure in South Texas
Bluebonnet Fiber has announced a new partnership with USDA to complete pre-construction efforts for the installation of underground fiber optic cables to expand broadband access in Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, La Salle, and Zavala counties.
Kinetic to bury over five miles of fiber optic infrastructure following devastating Iowa tornado
This investment will add to the already existing 10,600 ft (about 2 miles) of Kinetic fiber optic cable in the area. Kinetic's Iowa-based fiber network, about 12,400 miles, is 16 times larger than the total length of Iowa's 782 miles of federal interstates.
Maine to expand fiber broadband workforce with Fiber Broadband Association’s OpTIC Path program
The course will train the skilled fiber technicians needed to expand local networks and connect Maine communities to high-performance fiber broadband services. The OpTIC Path program also delivers important opportunities to graduates, enabling them to enter a professional industry with long-term value.
Metronet to fund Loves Park, Ill., fiber optic network with $9 million investment
Construction activities began earlier this month, with the first customers beginning to receive service this fall. Metronet vehicles will be seen around the city, installing fiber-optic cable on telephone poles and underground.
Fiber Broadband Association advocates for retiring copper in favor of future-proof fiber
FBA's new white paper argues that many telecommunications providers still face unnecessary expenses and complexity by maintaining legacy copper infrastructure, despite having migrated to fiber in core and access networks.
Editor’s log: Waiting on the storms
By the end of 2024, somewhere between $80 and $100 billion will have been dished out to cities, power utilities, fiber companies and miscellaneous entities to solve a fraction of America’s underground infrastructure needs.
Ripple Fiber to expand fiber optic network to 45,000 residents in North Carolina
Residents across multiple municipalities in the area now or will soon have access to the provider’s 10GB-ready fiber internet network: Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, Monroe, Sun Valley, Indian Trail, Weddington, Lake Park, and Stallings.
Telecom industry predicts boost in fiber optic networks to support growing AI, global study shows
A key theme from the study is the opinion that AI will enhance network performance. To achieve this, participants believe new solutions across fiber network infrastructure and operations will be required. In fact, 99% respondents believe they will need to upgrade fiber-optic networks to support more AI traffic.
Google to invest $1 billion in Hawaiʻi's subsea internet infrastructure with new fiber-optic cables
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, leader of Connect Kākou, Hawaiʻi’s high-speed internet initiative, and Benji Robinson, Asia Pacific director for Google, unveiled plans for the construction of a $1 billion project to create new fiber-optic internet subsea cables.
HyperFiber launches fiber-optic internet service in Port Charlotte, Fla.
HyperFiber, an independent fiber internet provider, has launched its gigabit-speed services in Port Charlotte, Florida, offering reliable connectivity to over 31,000 homes in the area.
Lowndes County, Ga., to bring fiber internet to 16,000 locations with $39 million public private partnership
Construction has already started and is expected to provide multi-gig internet speeds to eligible homes and businesses across the counties. This project will be critical in providing high-speed internet to underserved and unserved residents in the counties.
Meridiam breaks ground on “historic” fiber optic infrastructure investment in Memphis, Tenn.
Blue Suede Networks, a Memphis-based fiber-to-the-premises network developer owned and financed by Meridiam, is contracted to develop, build, finance, and manage a high-speed fiber-optic network that will pass at least 85% of business and residential premises throughout the city.
T-Mobile to invest $950 million in fiber optic joint venture with EQT to acquire Lumos
The next capital contribution by T-Mobile out of an additional commitment of approximately $500 million is anticipated between 2027 and 2028. These combined investments are expected to allow Lumos to reach 3.5 million homes by the end of 2028.
Editor’s Log: And the smiles never stopped
In late March, UI wrapped another successful Underground Infrastructure Conference. Per usual, a wealth of information and market intelligence was gathered from remarkable speakers and experts in a variety of fields including sewer installation and rehabilitation, fiber optics, power, horizontal directional drilling, and safety.
- Emergency rehabilitation brings back Baltimore’s Back River outfall interceptor
- DeLa Express moves forward with 690-mile Permian-to-Louisiana pipeline
- Fatal Shawnee trench collapse linked to Oklahoma contractor’s repeated safety violations, OSHA reports
- CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
- Editor’s log: The road to rehab intensifies
- CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Construction worker dies after being found unconscious in trench box
- Washington Watch: Congress stalls on pipeline safety bill as PHMSA nears key rule decisions
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns